ZCU - "We are not interested in white players, only new Taibus"

A letter in February 2004's Wisden Cricketer from ex-Zimbabwe quick Bryan Strang:

Peter Roebuck's article suggests that people opposed to sporting ties in an abnormal society are "contemptible". I challenge his simplistic view on sport and politics as naive and ill-informed.

I was selected as coach for Mashonaland West Under-12s. On the second day of our cricket week, with five minutes to start of play, I was adjusting the stumps when I was approached by an individual who I mistakenly believed was my fellow umpire. I extended my hand only to be racially abused and sworn at by the individual (who is in the employ of the ZCU) for dropping his player and was told "we are not interested in white players, only new Taibus". This tirade lasted for at least 10 minutes and was said in earshot of many young cricketers. I was shocked, angry and very scared.

This incident has been reported to the ZCU in writing and they have, in their wisdom, swept it under the carpet. To Mr Roebuck I say not all of the Zimbabwe cricketing community believe that Zimbabweans should be playing abroad as some of us know first-hand the politicisation and racialisation of cricket in Zimbabwe. Children are learning first-hand from coaches and policy-makers that skin colour matters. A union which promotes racial division and does nothing about hate speech should not be given the courtesy of touring democratic countries. What we need is for writers to think before they write, as words legitimise our reality.
---------------
End of Letter
---------------
My opinion - Ban Zimbabwe Now.

Re: ZCU - "We are not interested in white players, only new Taibus"

Originally posted by Neil Pickup A letter in February 2004's Wisden Cricketer from ex-Zimbabwe quick Bryan Strang:

Peter Roebuck's article suggests that people opposed to sporting ties in an abnormal society are "contemptible". I challenge his simplistic view on sport and politics as naive and ill-informed.

I was selected as coach for Mashonaland West Under-12s. On the second day of our cricket week, with five minutes to start of play, I was adjusting the stumps when I was approached by an individual who I mistakenly believed was my fellow umpire. I extended my hand only to be racially abused and sworn at by the individual (who is in the employ of the ZCU) for dropping his player and was told "we are not interested in white players, only new Taibus". This tirade lasted for at least 10 minutes and was said in earshot of many young cricketers. I was shocked, angry and very scared.

This incident has been reported to the ZCU in writing and they have, in their wisdom, swept it under the carpet. To Mr Roebuck I say not all of the Zimbabwe cricketing community believe that Zimbabweans should be playing abroad as some of us know first-hand the politicisation and racialisation of cricket in Zimbabwe. Children are learning first-hand from coaches and policy-makers that skin colour matters. A union which promotes racial division and does nothing about hate speech should not be given the courtesy of touring democratic countries. What we need is for writers to think before they write, as words legitimise our reality.
---------------
End of Letter
---------------
My opinion - Ban Zimbabwe Now.

Seconded. This is racism of the worst sort. Utterly awful and condemnatory.

However, I repeat my sentiments that England should not unilaterally boycott Zimbabwe, but instead try to make it a full ban by the whole cricketing community.

Founder of ESAS - Edgar Schiferli, the best associate bowler
A follower of the schools of Machiavelli, Bentham, Locke, Hobbes, Sutcliffe, Bradman, Lindwall, Miller, Hassett and Benaud
Member of JMAS, DMAS, FRAS and RTDAS

when you're winning, you have friendsscores and dozens, real friendswhen you're winning, never lonelywhen you keep winning

SA still has a 2 players per state quota at domestic level, but no longer at Test level.

I can understand this, as it's positive discrimination in an attempt to reform the legacy of apartheid. I expect it to be phased out as it has been at Test level.

This discrimination, on the other hand is nothing except negative and racist and would not be allowed anywhere else - can you imagine what would happen if someone in the UK decreed that they weren't interested in black players.

Yeah I read that artical. What's the point in Zimbabwe still playing if they are just going to be seriously weak because black players of lesser ability are being picked? Streak and Flower don't deserve it, but do Zimbabwe deserve to play International Cricket while they are discriminating against white players? No. Did South Africa get away with Apartheid?

That said, there's this thing called sleep. You might try it sometime...

Sreesanth said, "Next ball he was beaten and I said, 'is this the King Charles Lara? Who is this impostor, moving around nervously? I should have kept my mouth shut for the next ball - mind you, it was a length ball - Lara just pulled it over the church beyond the boundary! He is a true legend."